Abstract: A method for filling an underground void, such as a mine stope, without danger of causing mud slides therein, with the material being pumped from a site which is located remote from the void. A fluid, cementitious material is formed by mixing hydraulic cement, water, particulate solid material, and foam material. The bubble structure which results from incorporating the foam constituent in the fill material renders this much more fluid and pumpable, thereby allowing the use of much higher solids-to-water ratios than would otherwise be possible while still being able to pump the material over significant distances. This reduces the possibly of fluidic collapse of the material in the void, and produces other advantages as well. In the case of stopes, the particulate solid component is ordinarily provided using the tailings from the mine operation.

Abstract: A process which allows elastomeric materials of different colors, durometers and/or other material characteristics to chemically bond to one another so as to eliminate any possibility of delamination. Latex-based liquid elastomer solutions having different material characteristics are applied sequentially to a heated mold to form a series of layers making up the article, with rapid partial curing taking place between each application; the partial curing forms a skin coat over each layer which prevents intermixing of the different solutions, but which still permits a chemical bond to form during full curing of the materials. The process applies equally to dip (immersion) molded and flat molded goods. An example of the invention as it relates to flat-molded goods is an athletic shoe sole, and an example as it relates to dip-molded goods is a resilient, one piece watersports boot which can be fitted over a human foot without a zipper.

Abstract: A method for treatment of multiple sclerosis and related disease states. A histamine H2 mimicking agent is administered in an amount which is effective to stimulate production of a cyclic AMP in the body. A phosphodiesterase inhibitor is administered in conjunction with the histamine H2 mimicking agent to conserve the cyclic AMP which is thus produced. It is believed that the increased cyclic AMP levels serve to maintain the patient's myelin against self degeneration. The histamine H2 mimicking agent may be histamine phosphate and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor may be caffeine. The histamine H2 mimicking agent and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor may be mixed in a gel and administered using a transdermal patch.

Abstract: A two-piece orthotic insert assembly. A post member is fixedly mounted in the heel end of a shoe, and has a generally concave bearing surface. A separate plate member is placed in the shoe so that the heel end thereof rests in the post, the heel cup of the plate member having a generally convex lower bearing surface which engages the concave bearing surface in the post member so as to permit a predetermined range of pivoting motion between the two pieces. The concave upper bearing surface of the post member defines a generally U-shaped bearing area which supports the rear foot portion of the plate at a predetermined angle for heel strike. Following heel strike, the plate member pivots so as to permit a controlled amount of pronation of the foot.

Abstract: A floor, wall, roof, or ceiling of a building is made of specially adapted beams and overlying panels. The beams have a layer of foam material on their edges. The foam material can include a resiliently compressible material, a thermally insulating material, or a material which possesses both of these properties. The panels are positioned over the beams so that the foam material is sandwiched between the beams and the panels. When the panels are fastened to the beams, the resiliently compressible foam material partially compresses, thereby filling any gaps which may form between the beams and the panels. The resiliently compressible foam material thus prevents relative movement between the panel and the beams which would otherwise produce squeaks. When the foam material includes thermal insulating material, it forms a thermal barrier between panels and beams, especially metal beams, thereby eliminating various drawbacks of construction using metal beams.

Abstract: A disc golf target assembly. A plurality of curved support members and chain segments cooperate to intercept flying discs which enter the target. The curved support members deflect and disturb the flight path of the disc and reduce the momentum thereof. The chain segments arrest forward motion of the disc, and the disc drops into an underlying receiving area. The receiving area may be a basket structure mounted below the interception structure. The assembly may further include a raised stand structure. The curved support members may be elongate tubular members which extend over the receiving area. The support members may be arched outwardly or inwardly over the receiving area, and may be convertible between conf igurations. The support members and chain segments may also be selectively configured to give the target a directional bias, so that it more readily receives discs from one direction than from another.

Abstract: An insole assembly for a shoe or other article of footwear. The assembly includes a soft, cushioning foam blank having an upper surface which is contoured to engage the plantar surface of a foot, and a thin, substantially rigid, resiliently flexible cap which is mounted to the bottom of the blank so as to extend around the heel end and forwardly along the medial and lateral sides thereof. The rigid cap includes an upstanding wall which engages and buttresses the perimeter of the foam blank, and a series of medial and lateral flanges which extend across and support the bottom of the blank. The flanges are configured to cooperate with the foam blank to define zones of support in specific areas, with the maximum support and rigidity being provided for the rearfoot and midfoot areas of the foot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting a hand bow in a horizontal orientation, to provide reduced forearm slap, increased accuracy, and reduced grip arm fatigue. The horizontal orientation also enables the bow assembly to be used in seated and prone positions, as well as when standing. A grip member having a rearwardly facing alignment channel is mounted or formed on the riser of the bow. The channel is configured to receive and engage the metacarpal head area or another portion of the grip hand so as to form a horizontal pivot axis. The pivot axis is positioned in substantially the same plane as the primary plane of the bow assembly, thereby minimizing development of torque when the bowstring is drawn. A bracket assembly is provided for mounting an arrow rest and sights for use in the horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A tool for use with a power drill for removal of rivets in light alloy panels and other structures. A hollow, cylindrical drill cage is mountable to the bottom of a tool body having a reciprocating drive shaft. A drill bit which is mounted on the lower end of the drive shaft extends downwardly through the cage and passes through a guide bushing at the lower end thereof. The guide bushing has an axial bore for receiving and guiding the drill bit, a central socket for receiving and holding the head of the rivet, and a broad annular surface which extends around the socket so as to engage the surrounding material and stabilize the tool and bit perpendicular thereto. The drill cage has port openings formed in the sides thereof for discharge of shavings which are pulled upwardly by operation of the bit, and a channel is also formed across the annular stabilizing surface for discharge of chips and shavings therethrough.

Abstract: A tool for lifting and removing heavy lids, such as manhole covers and similar articles. The tool includes an elongate lever with a handgrip at the upper end and a pivot head at the lower end. Wheels on the pivot head provide a pivot axis, with a hook being mounted in front of the pivot axis and a footplate being mounted behind the axis. The hook is inserted in an opening in the lid, and the lid is then lifted and removed by pulling back on the lever and stepping down on the footplate. After removal, the lid can be transported by rolling the assembly over the ground using the wheels. The invention thus facilitates removal and installation of heavy lids with minimal strain and potential injury to the operator.

Abstract: A water pressure operated post-hole digging tool. The tool includes a vertically elongate pipe with an enlarged mandrel member having a generally circular cross section mounted on its lower end, and an attachment for connecting the upper end of the conduit to a source of water pressure. The water pressure is discharged through an open end at the bottom of the mandrel member, so that soil is dislodged at the bottom of the post-hole bore. The flow of water then passes upwardly through the annular cavity around the sides of the mandrel member so as to scour out of the sides of the bore. The lower end of the mandrel member is tapered so as to accelerate the flow of water as this passes into the annular cavity around the body, and upper taper slows the flow as it exits the cavity and flows up the excavated bore. The mandrel member may be formed of solid plastic material.

Abstract: A method and composition for grouting a water-flooded cavity. Water and portland cement are combined to form a fluid cement slurry, the slurry being substantially free of sand or other aggregate material, and the slurry is then colloidally mixed so as to achieve an ultra-fine mixing thereof. An anti-washout admixture is mixed with the slurry in a predetermined amount, and a superplasticizing agent is also preferably included, both the anti-washout admixture and the superplasticizer agent being substantially free of defoaming agents. Finished foam is then mixed with the slurry to form a stable foamed cement grout which is injected into the water-flooded cavity. The anti-washout admixture is preferably a modified cellulose ether solution.

Abstract: An inflatable watercraft having an annular flotation member, a half-floor at the forward end for occupant seating, and a floor opening at the rearward end for passage of the occupant's legs therethrough. The half-floor is located at approximately water level when the craft is afloat, so that the person's legs extend through the opening at a relatively shallow downwardly angle for efficient propulsion of the watercraft. The half-floor is preferably made up of a series of transverse inflatable tube sections mounted in edge-to-edge relationship. A quick-detach oarlock mechanism is also provided, in which a trunnion block is detachably mounted to the top of the flotation tube by means of a retractable spring-loaded axle pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing fill material over a pipeline. A wide-track carriage is provided for straddling the pipeline trench, and this includes a shaker screen mechanism for screening aggregate fill material, such as excavated native spoils. The screened fill material is fed into the trench via a pivoting conveyor which is controlled by means of a pivotable and extensible boom. A mix auger is also provided for mixing water and cement with the fill material to form a cementitious Controlled Low Strength Material fill in those installations where this is needed.

Abstract: A fishing lure for enhanced attraction of game fish. The lure includes a plurality of panels, each of which is provided with a plurality of perforations which establish fluid communication between the interior of the body and the surrounding water. The body of the lure has a curvature which imparts a rolling motion as the lure is drawn through the water. The rolling motion simulates the swimming motion of a bait fish, and also forces water to pass into and through the perforations in the panels. This creates turbulence and vibrations which further simulate the characteristics of live bait fish. In a preferred embodiment, the curvature is established by joining the convex and concave edges of three crescentiform panels in edge to edge relationship around a hollow interior of the lure. The perforations may be in the form of mesh areas formed in one or more of the panels.

Abstract: An elongate tubular spacer frame bar for insulating windows. The spacer frame bar is formed of metal and has spaced, staggered sequences of longitudinally oriented elongate slits which increase the length of the thermal conductivity path from the first pane to the second. These slits are formed by displacing the material so that this breaks and shears away along the edges of the slit, thereby forming an effective but narrow air gap. The air gap is sized to prevent the escape particulate desiccant material from within the interior of the spacer.

Abstract: A two-piece orthotic insert assembly. A post member is fixedly mounted in the heel end of a shoe, and has a generally concave bearing surface. A separate plate member is placed in the shoe so that the heel end thereof rests in the post, the heel cup of the plate member having a generally convex lower bearing surface which engages the concave bearing surface in the post member so as to permit a predetermined range of pivoting motion between the two pieces. The concave upper bearing surface of the post member defines a generally U-shaped bearing area which supports the rear foot portion of the plate at a predetermined angle for heel strike. Following heel strike, the plate member pivots so as to permit a controlled amount of pronation of the foot.